Job Discussion Forums

[adventuramust]

Okay, I realize my post is much later than original. I have been offered a position in Zhujai at TPR. I am an experienced teacher, including a year in China. I'm interested in this one because of the location. Yes, HK and such are of interest and seemed like it wouldn't take much effort to get there.

Can't recall if offered 5000 or 6000 off the top of my head. I was also offered a head teacher position in Foshan, but thought Zhuhai location better.

Any more on cost of living and TPR?

[mrwslee003]

Well, I have to agree with you for choosing Zhuhai because it is one
of the prettiest places in southern China. However, you have to take
on American TPR school with a certain attitude, a place to work while
you enjoy the place and surrounding attractions.

I know that TPR school takes advantage of the FTs because their primary
goal is to make money and they will take advantage of you if you are not on guard. Like paying you peanuts for extra tutoring time. Make sure that is only optional, and not compulsory.

If they pay 5000 yuan for 8 hours of classes, that is not bad. Do they
give you free lodging too? And what quality of lodging is important too.

Always provide yourself with contacts and even alternate employment
opportunities. I am sure there are other schools that require Fts too.

Even look into teaching in Macau, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, etc.

Good luck and enjoy.......

[adventuramust]

It is about 6000y with shared accommodations (not a positive, but hopefully it will work out). The teaching hours are up to 21 per week with up to 6 activity hours per week. I rather wonder what the latter entails and was hoping someone who had worked there would respond.

Like you reiterated, it was the location that was of interest to me. I figured HK and Macao are considered prime and difficult to obtain. The latter hasn't been seen in any any ads by me. Therefore, if either or both were within weekend distance, Zhuhai sounded good.

So you think the offer sounds acceptabled for the given location?

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

About 30 hours a week for 5k?

A lot of work for peanuts, no matter what the location.

Personally, I wouldn't even work there in desperation.

[adventuramust]

Technically is was 6000y for UP TO 21 hours and UP TO 6 hours. At a previous position it was UP TO 1 hour a week and wound up being 1 per month.

[mrwslee003]

The 21 teaching hours per week is a full load already, but the up to 6 hours of activities per week means 27 hours per week. I would question the up to 6 hours of activities and clarify what those activities are. That is an extra hour per day. Sounds like they are trying to get you to do some PR for them. Ask them if the 6 hours are non-teaching hours. They may ask you to do some recruiting (students) for them. Try to cut them down to 2 hours a week. Tell them you have other things to do and can't spend more hours for them, use your imagination.

Make sure the weekends are yours! Shared accomodation is another
issue. You don't know who the stranger is. Ask for private accomodation and see if they go for it. And make sure your housing is decent and with western toilet and shower with hot water and laundary machine. Don't settle for anything less.

Good luck.

[doogsville]

I've worked for TPR since February this year. They are a good company to work for. They are professional and honest, which I gather is something of a rarity hereabouts. They are not perfect, but then neither were any of the companies I worked for in the West. They give you some initial training, and there is ongoing support for your teaching practice. They have a welfare officer, and pretty much everyone in the company that I have met has been extremely friendly and very willing to help out with anything I have needed to do.

The accommodation is good. I live in a nice apartment very close to the head office, and the buses in Zhuhai are good too, so it's easy to get to whatever branch you work in. I currently teach for 21 hours a week, most of which is at the weekends. I teach a broad range of ages and abilities. The up to 6 hours of non teaching that so many of the posters seem to be fixating on are not a hassle, believe me. So far in nine months I have had to attend about five different functions, each of which has involved smiling and being polite to people while eating free food and drinking free beer and wine, and also listening to excellent live music on four of those occasions. The company looks after us very well.

If you have any doubts or queries TPR will gladly pass on the email adress of one or more of their current teachers so you can mail them directly and ask their opinion. Of the ten teachers that started with me in February, I know of at least six who have already renewed their contracts for next year, and I know of another four teachers who have been here for more than four years, and another two who have been here three years.

I know there will be doubters and cynics, who think I am being paid for my comments or similar. Before I came to TPR I read some pretty negative comments about the company. Funnily enough none of the posters had ever worked here, but they all had an opinion. My advice is to contact TPR and have them put you in touch with someone who has actually worked here, or is working here, and so knows what they are talking about. Me, I would have no hesitation in recommending them, and I frequently do.

[mrwslee003]

Thanks for sharing Doog.

First hand opinions are the best in helping potential Fts making an informed decision. I still have contacts in this city.

[weejay]

I worked for TPR about five years ago. They are pretty much everything you'd expect from a provincial Chinese chain school. At times I was annoyed with them, but to be fair they are a good way to get into China - the work is quite easy, and they never really screw you around like some of the horror stories you hear from other schools. At the end of the year quite a few teachers renewed their contracts - not something you'll see at the really bad schools. If you want to try living in quite a nice city for a year, but aren't too fussed about saving a great deal of money, well, you could do a lot worse.

[mrwslee003]

Weej,

I feel yours is the right attitude for teaching at TPR. And who knows if they like you they could sweeten the pot to keep you.

As for the beaches and proximity to Macau and HK, its second to none.
I know I enjoyed it when I was there.